Levita Magnetics Selects RTI Connext as the Connectivity Solution for its MARS Surgical Robotic System

July 2, 2024 WNIElectronics

Connext Enables Flexible and Scalable Innovation for Levita’s MARS Surgical Platform: the First-of-its-kind to Advance Minimally Invasive Surgery

Real-Time Innovations (RTI), the infrastructure software company for smart-world systems, today announced Levita Magnetics has selected RTI Connext to provide real-time connectivity for MARS: the first and only FDA approved surgical robotic platform that revolutionizes surgery with magnets and machines. MARS is designed to improve patient outcomes and clinical efficiency in high-volume abdominal surgeries, and has completed hundreds of successful surgeries in the US and Chile. With Levita’s technology, patients can look forward to a faster recovery, less pain, and better cosmetic results.

When it comes to command and control in minimally-invasive therapies, it is critical that data communications are received and transferred correctly. Levita required a reliable, robust, and scalable software solution that transferred data in real time, ensuring patient and system safety. Connext, based on the Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, enables secure real-time information exchange, modular application development, and rapid integration of distributed systems. RTI’s Routing Service was particularly helpful as it enabled seamless communication between two disparate communication protocols. This allows teams to efficiently design a flexible and holistic communication architecture to accelerate the development of clinical solutions.

“RTI Connext enables advanced controls and visualization in the surgical field, enriching the surgeon’s experience as well as patient care,” said Chauncey Graetzel, VP of R&D at Levita Magnetics. “We will continue to push boundaries through leading edge innovation in surgical robotics while maintaining unwavering commitment to safety and security standards.”

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grow in the healthcare industry, Levita is also the first company to use Augmented Reality (AR) for abdominal surgery. In the future, the AR component will act as an accessory to the MARS system to improve visualization, enhance minimally invasive techniques, and promote collaboration within the medical field. All of the most popular AR headsets can be used in conjunction with MARS, providing surgeons with comprehensive images and more accurate analysis of patients.

“The convergence of robotics, AI, data analytics, and visualization technologies is paving the way for a new era in MedTech with connectivity at the core,” said Darren Porras, Market Development Manager, Medical at RTI. “To fully leverage new technologies, robotically-assisted systems need to be designed with architectures that allow for rapid evolution while also addressing demanding and simultaneous requirements for reliability, cybersecurity and performance. We’re proud to work with Levita to leverage the power of magnets to reduce incisions and make surgery less invasive, delivering a triple impact that benefits patients, surgeons and hospitals.”

Visit rti.com/healthcare to learn how leading MedTech companies are using Connext to transform healthcare.

Picture (source: Levita Magnetics):